The milk-producing power of LED lighting

June 01, 2013

Conventional wisdom tells us that happy cows make more milk. But what about cows housed in farms equipped with LED bulbs? One recent study overseen by Oklahoma State University suggests LED bulbs — championed for producing more light while using less energy — cause cause cows to produce more milk.

The Oklahoma State study aimed to evaluate the energy savings of LEDs and how they performed overall, including their durability on working farm, the Kansas City Star reported. The study also tracked milk production because of concerns the LED lights could harm the animals by interfering, for example, with their feeding schedule.

The study found that cows living in areas of the barn outfitted with LED bulbs produced 6 percent more milk than those housed in spots using fluorescent lighting. The average LED-lit cow delivered an extra half gallon of milk per day.